ROME DRIVER HAD DRUGS IN SYSTEM

Italian police carrying out more tests as community at home united in grief

- MICHAEL O’TOOLE , BRENDAN FURLONG

AUTHORITIES in Italy are conducting further tests after it emerged the driver of a car that killed two Irish tourists had drugs in his system. 

Reports in Italy say tests on his blood taken after Thursday’s accident which claimed the lives of husband and wife Mary and Paul Reilly showed the presence of cocaine.

It’s understood more detailed tests will now be carried out – to see if the level of cocaine in the 54-year-old driver’s blood meant he was impaired at the time of the accident.

The man, who has told police that he tried to avoid the couple after they walked out on to the road at a zebra crossing, has not been arrested.

Tests also show that he braked for around 50 metres before he struck Mary O’Reilly, 59, and her 60-year-old husband Paul, who were on holiday from the Kilmore area of Co Wexford.

The accident happened on the Via Cristofero Colombo, around 15km south of central Rome. It is regarded as one of the most dangerous roads in the city – and seven people have already died on it this year alone.